It started off as a family member’s hobby but cider producing is now an award-winning business in Monmouthshire for Ben Culpin.

PARIS DARKNELL finds out more about what goes on behind the scenes at Apple County Cider Co.

LOCATED at The Whitehouse Farm, near Skenfrith, Apple County Cider Co is the creation of award-winning cider producer Ben Culpin.

What started off as a hobby for Mr Culpin’s late stepfather James ‘Jimmy’ McConnel led to something bigger when Mr McConnel asked his stepson to join him in turning his interest into a business.

And Mr Culpin hasn’t looked back since.

He said: “Jimmy had been growing cider apples on terraces on his farm near Monmouth in South Wales since 1969, but had never looked seriously at the idea of making and marketing his own cider despite an interest in cider making.”

While Mr McConnel would grow his own cider apples, he would then sell them onto other cider-making companies – unaware of how good the cider tasted.

But after crafting his own cider using surplus apples, Mr Culpin said the finished cider turned out exceptionally well and soon expert opinion convinced them that their product had great potential.

And, after jumping at the opportunity to get the business under way, so began the process of marketing and selling their own cider.

Now Mr Culpin produces the cider and owns Apple County Cider Co alongside his wife who runs the company. They also have two other directors.

Back in 2009 when they started the business and gave it the name Apple County, Mr Culpin said they were eager to put Monmouthshire back on the map as one of the top apple counties producing the finest cider.

And with the business winning numerous awards for its cider such as the gold and two bronze awards in the Artisan Drinks competition at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair last year, it seems they are doing just that.

And the awards are well deserved with time and effort going into the nine-month cider production to make the products.

Mr Culpin said: “We use bittersweet apples, single variety, press them, the juice ferments and we add sugar to taste.”

With the demand for cider also growing over the past five years, Mr Culpin is kept busy.

He said “There has been a boom in the craft ale and craft cider market.”

During the nine-month process that goes in to the production of the cider, running out of products could be a problem for some companies. But this cider brewery carefully plans to ensure their stock lasts all year round.

Their cider can be found in independent retailers, shops, delis and restaurants and the company also caters for weddings, parties and barbecues.

Mr Culpin added “We have been picked by The Welsh Rarebits hotel collection as their preferred cider supplier.

“We are always looking for new customers. It’s great to offer them a Welsh product that’s local.”

The company also offers cider tasting where customers are able to visit the farmhouse and take home cases and flagons of cider straight from the vat. They are also in the process of making leaflets to promote orchard walks which they’re starting around the farm.

Among the many customers they have, Mr Culpin said being asked by Kate Humble to exclusively produce cider for her Humble By Nature brand which is currently on sale at her café and farm shop was one of the company’s greatest highlights.

Other highlights include when Mr Culpin was awarded a double gold star for his Dabinett Medium cider in The Great Taste Awards.

Another thing, which the company is proud of is the fact that the products they use are all grown either by themselves or are outsourced locally – something which is important to the firm.

Always keen to stand out from other companies, the business also specialises in single-variety ciders that endure a long cold fermentation process, which helps to produce a more in-depth flavour.

As for future plans for the company, Mr Culpin plans to concentrate on expanding the range of single-variety ciders through using rarer bittersweet apples.

The firm also plans to attend around 10 events this year.

This includes the Badminton Horse Trials from May 6 to 10, the Royal Three Counties from June 12 to 14, the Skenfrith Real Ale and Cider Festival on July 4, the Royal Welsh Show from July 20 to 24, the Monmouth Show on August 27, the Chatsworth Country Fair from September 4 to 6, the Usk Show on September 12 and the Abergavenny Food Festival on September 19 and 20.

Every year the company also celebrates National Apple Day in October by setting up a vintage cider press at the village hall and inviting people to bring their apples and pears and put them through the press.

The business is open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 6pm and on Sunday from 11am until 5pm.

Their cider can also be purchased online at: http://applecountycider.co.uk/shop where mixed cases, boxes of cider and gift set cases are available.

The firm also offers a delivery service.

You can find the business by following the trail of cider signs, just west of Skenfrith on the B4521 or on the B4347 from Monmouth about two miles past Newcastle.

You can also contact the firm on 01600 750835 or by emailing hello@applecountycider.co.uk.